How Absence Of Social Investment Programmes Worsened Child Education In Osun — Investigation
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2025
JUSUN Strike: Osun Sets Up Mobile Courts To Try Offenders
THE Osun State government has concluded arrangement to set up mobile courts to consist of eight (8) Magistrates as the strike embarked upon by the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) persist.
The mobile court is to a end to overnight criminal ac vi es, preliminary remand proceedings and other ma ers necessary to decongest the deten on facili es among others.
The was contained in a statement signed by the Spokesperson to Governor Ademola Adeleke, Mallam Olawale Rasheed on Wednesday.
According to Rasheed, the interven on is necessitated by the needs to avert viola ons of human rights, prevent security risks associated with congested cells and ensure that basic criminal jus ce procedures are maintained while efforts are intensified to solve the judicial workers strike.
A copy of the statement obtained by OSUN DEFENDER yesterday reads partly: “The state government has concluded arrangement to set up mobile courts to consist of eight (8) Magistrates.
“In a new partnership between the execu ve and the judicial arms of government, the mobile court is to a end to overnight criminal acvi es, preliminary remand proceedings and other ma ers necessary to decongest the deten on facili es among
•Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, on Tuesday paid a courtesy visit to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, in his palace
others.
“The process started with a le er from the Governor’s legal adviser, Nurudeen Kareem Esq.
to the Chief Judge of Osun state, calling for the establishment of the mobile courts to address conges on crisis across
the deten on facili es of most law enforcement agencies. “Governor Adeleke affirmed that his inter-
ven on is necessitated by the needs to avert viola ons of human rights, prevent security risks associated with congested
cells and ensure that basic criminal jus ce procedures are maintained while efforts are intensified to solve the judicial workers strike.
“The Chief Judge has posi vely acted on the le er and Osun state is to get mobile courts as quickly as possible.”
Recall that JUSUN in Osun State has shut down courts since at September 2025, hal ng all judicial ac vi es due to demands for be er welfare, overdue promo ons, and payment of allowances.
This ac on, supported by a direc ve from JUSUN’s na onal body, has kept courthouses closed and affected legal proceedings and bail applica ons for inmates, promp ng calls for the state government and judicial authori es to resolve the issues.
Adeleke’s Deputy Frustrating Sports Development In Osun - Coaches Allege
COACHES of team sports in Osun State have accused the state’s Deputy Governor, Prince Kola Adewusi of sabotaging their efforts.
According to the Coaches, the deputy’s negligence has caused major setback to sport development in the state. They accused him of giving priority to football and tennis at the detriment of other games including Basketball, Hockey, Baseball, weightli ing among others.
A cross sec on of them who spoke with OSUN DEFENDER on Wednesday, said Osun which has consistently been among the
leading incubators of athle c talent in Nigeria is being dragged backwards under the stewardship of the Deputy Governor who also serve as the Commissioner for Sports.
According to mul ple sources within the Osun State Sports Council, key files and funding requests are le to stagnate on the desk of Prince Adewusi without being forwarded for approval.
Coaches and administrators say they o en have to borrow money to enable athletes to travel and compete, yet reimbursement is delayed — some mes for months.
“It is deeply troubling that, while football seems
to receive con nued atten on, other sports are reportedly being marginalized. Other team sports such as volleyball, hockey, and handball are being neglected, and in some cases, con ngent files for na onal compe ons are not even approved,” the sources alleged.
Recently, OSUN DEFENDER gathered that the state Basketball Team received approval to a end their Division One League, but were trapped in Akure due to lack of financial support from the Osun government.
The medium also learnt that the Volleyball Team’s situa on is even worse. They a ended the first
phase of their na onal league in 2024, but could not a end the second phase due to lack of funding. This year, they have not been able to a end the league at all.
OSUN DEFENDER gathered that the state Handball Team, which protested in Edo a few months ago over unpaid allowances, has s ll not been se led. This same team is now on the verge of missing out on Phase 2 of the Ardova Premier Handball league in Lagos due to lack of funds — an avoidable embarrassment.
But reac ng to the social media report on the situa on of the Basketball Team in Akure, the Chief
Osun ADC Leaders Unite, Say Winning 2026 Guber Election Paramount
THE leadership of the African Democra c Congress in Osun State have said the party is poised to win the forthcoming August 08, gubernatorial elec on in the state. The ADC leaders stated this on Tuesday in Osogbo, Osun State capital, during the grand finale of the federal cons tuency tour of the party led by the naonal secretary of the ADC and former two-term governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.
Speaking during the rally, the chairman of the ADC in Osun, Dr Charles Omidiji, said the party is united and will work to secure victory at the gubernatorial poll. He said, “My message for the people of Osun State is to come out en
masse during the forthcoming gubernatorial elecon and vote for the ADC.
“There is no crisis in the ADC, and for those opposi on members who envisage a crisis, they are just was ng their me. We are one united family and we are going to the elec on to win.”
The chairman of the Omoluabi Progressives, a tendency under the ADC in Osun, Alhaji Isaa Adesiji, said the cons tuency tour has shown that people are red of the ruling party and aligning with the ADC.
Adesiji said the coalion party is ready to give Nigerians relief from bad governance, urging residents of the state to reject the APC and PDP at the next gubernatorial elecon.
“This is not an ordinary party. This is a big
movement. This is a sign of revolu on. It is obvious that people of Nigeria are red of bad governance and they are ready for a change.
“This is a party that is barely six months old in this state, and you see the mammoth crowd which we have witnessed today. ADC is ready to give the en re country relief from bad gov-
ernance,” Adesiji said.
A former speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Hon. Najeem Salam, in his remarks, said the party is ready to work with whoever emerges as the candidate, no ng that the focus is to win the next elec on.
He said, “Even though this is a new party en rely, the party was formed barely six months ago but see
the massive crowd. I’ve told my people not to relent in their effort.
“I urged our people here today that they should go back to their respec ve units to mobilise support for the party, and by the me the elec on comes, we will be sure of victory.
“Whoever is picked as our gubernatorial candidate, we are going to work for the person and ensure his victory.”
A former Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Moshood Adeo , said ADC is the party to beat in the next general elec ons.
“We are here to unveil our party and tell the people that we have arrived. Some people underrated us, but we are the party to beat in this state and by extension, Nigeria, and we are going to triumph,” Adeo stated.
Public Rela ons Officer of the Osun State Sports Council, Mrs. Funmilayo Moradeyo in a Press release on Tuesday, described the report as false, misleading and does not emanate from the Osun United Basketball Team, its players or the coaching crew.
A copy of the release obtained by OSUN DEFENDER reads partly: “Reac ng on the publica on, the General manager, Mr Demola Daini urges the general public, sports enthusiasts, and the media to disregard the circulating report in its en rety, adding that” the Council remains commi ed to the welfare of athletes across all spor ng categories and con nues to work closely with teams and coaches to ensure smooth representa on of the state at local and na onal compe ons.
“He encourages members of the public to seek verified informa on from official channels and not rely on unverified social media content, adding that the government of the day is doing everything possible to ensure that all state teams are well catered for.”
Meanwhile, sports observers in the state have urged the government to take away football from the Osun Sports Council, saying an agency should be created to manage its affairs.
Efforts to get reac on of the Deputy Governor through his Chief Press Secretary, Goke Awoyemi proved abor ve as he did not respond to terse message sent to his phone and WhatsApp
Yusuf Oketola
Yusuf Oketola
Kazeem Badmus
“ IF you do not know anything about the events which occurred before you were born, you will remain forever a child.” — Herodotus
It is most appropriate to begin this reflec on by acknowledging one of the founders of the discipline we call History with the quota on above. A people must always be guided and guarded by the currents of their past, for it is only through understanding history that we can properly interrogate the causes and effects of present reali es; to borrow from the famous mo o of the London School of Economics.
Recently, a video resurfaced in which the late Senior Advocate of Nigeria and former Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Ro mi Akeredolu (SAN), passionately jusfied the establishment of the South-West regional security ou it, Amotekun. That video has once again brought to the fore his foresight, courage and historical importance.
History has already vindicated Akeredolu’s firmness, persistence and foresight in the face of the existen al threats confron ng the South-West. While some mocked or trivialised the issue with ill-judged ques ons like, “Where are the cows?”, Akeredolu understood that the region was under serious security threat. With un-
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2025
Remembering Aketi
“Remembrance must go beyond emotion. The line of defence he helped to establish must now be strengthened and intensified. The threat remains real and unrelenting”
common courage and tenacity, he took a principled stand. Had he not done so, only God knows what would have become of the South-West today.
To paraphrase the late Cuban leader, Fidel Castro, history has acqui ed him.
Each me we receive fresh warnings about marauders, terrorists and violent criminal elements threatening the region, we must remember the
man who dared to act when many others hesitated. We must say a hear elt gbosa to the memory of the dearly departed.
However, remembrance must go beyond emo on. The line of defence he helped to establish must now be strengthened and intensified. The threat remains real and unrelen ng. Amotekun must be for fied, and new structures of organi-
The Discourse
sa on must be developed to be er protect forests, reserves and rural communi es. In urban centres, Amotekun should be empowered with sophis cated intelligence frameworks and mechanisms to iden fy, track and neutralise fi h columnists and agent provocateurs.
This is an intractable and long-running struggle that demands strategic thinking, not token gestures.
The Governors of the SouthWest must therefore significantly increase budgetary alloca ons to internal security and Amotekun opera ons. Funding should be structured and sustained, to enable the crea on of specialised units, acquisi on of modern equipment, telecommunica ons infrastructure and logis cs facili es necessary for opera onal efficiency. Personnel must be provided with barracks, adequate healthcare, welfare support and sustainable pension schemes. Amotekun is a cri cal line of defence for the South-West, and it must be treated as such.
Above all, the South-West must con nue to priori se people-oriented leadership in the mould of Ro mi Akeredolu — leaders driven by courage, principle and commitment to the collec ve security and dignity of their people.
May his soul rest in perfect peace.
Postpartum Depression: A Hidden Crisis Affecting Nigerian Mothers
By Olufunmilayo Ojo, PhD
“WHEN Tola welcomed her daughter in Ibadan, friends and family celebrated the new arrival. But behind her polite smiles, she felt an overwhelming sadness she could not explain. Instead of the joy everyone expected, she struggled with constant fa gue, frequent tears, and a growing sense of guilt.
As the weeks passed, Tola withdrew from visitors and found it increasingly difficult to care for her baby. Her husband, Akin, no ced the drama c change and encouraged her to seek medical help. A doctor later confirmed she was experiencing postpartum depression, a condi on many new mothers face but o en hide.
With counselling, support from her family, and gradual treatment, Tola began to recover. She now speaks openly about her experience and works with a local mothers’ support group, determined to help other women recognise the signs and seek help early.
“No mother should suffer in silence,” she says.”
Postpartum depression (PPD), a mental health condi on that occurs a er childbirth, is emerging as a major but o en overlooked public health challenge among Nigerian women.
Although childbirth is widely celebrated as a joyful experience, many new mothers silently ba le anxiety, mood swings and overwhelming fa gue that may develop
into severe depression if le untreated.
Studies conducted across Nigeria reveal that between 10 and 44 percent of Nigerian women experience symptoms of postpartum depression, depending on geographic loca on, socioeconomic condions and access to healthcare.
The figure, according to the World Health Organiza on (WHO), is higher than the global average of 13 percent, placing Nigeria among countries with some of the highest maternal mental health burdens in sub-Saharan Africa.
A range of factors contribute to the high incidence of PPD in Nigeria. Poverty, limited social support, domes c violence, and hormonal changes following childbirth are repeatedly iden fied as major triggers.
A Psychiatrist Consultant at Osun State Hospital, Asubiaro, Dr. Folasade Dare, explained that social expecta ons o en intensify the emo onal struggles of affected
women.
“Many women suffer in silence because they fear being judged as weak or ungrateful,” she noted. “The s gma surrounding mental illness discourages them from seeking help.”
Dr. Dare explained that cultural pressures, financial hardship and complica ons during pregnancy or delivery further increase vulnerability to PPD.
In rural communi es where maternal health services are limited or underfund-
“Many women suffer in silence because they fear being judged as weak or ungrateful,” she noted. “The stigma surrounding mental illness discourages them from seeking help”
OSUN DEFENDER
Publisher – Moremi Publishing House Ltd.
Asst. News Editor – Yusuf Oketola
Asst. Features Editor – Kazeem Badmus
Deputy Photo Editor – Shola Aderinto
Deputy Graphics Manager – Zainab Olalere
Produc on Controller – Petkola Taiwo Ibitowa
OSUN DEFENDER is published by Moremi Publishing House Limited, Behind Oranmiyan Building, Gbodofon, Off Gbongan Road, Osogbo, Osun State.
ISSN : 0794-8050
Telephone : 0809-301-9152
Website : www.osundefender.com/index.php e-mail : osundefenderhq@gmail.com osundefenderbank@gmail.com
All correspondence to the above email addresses.
ed, opportuni es for early diagnosis and treatment are scarce.
The consequences of untreated postpartum depression extend beyond the mother. Research shows that maternal depression can lead to inadequate infant care, reduced breastfeeding, and developmental delays in children.
In severe cases, women may experience suicidal
•Read full article on www.osundefender.com
•Olufunmilayo Adebomi Ojo is a Doctor of Philosophy in Mass Communication A practicing Broadcast Journalist, Lecturer and Member of ACSPN, NIPR, NUJ and NAWOJ
•Akeredolu
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2025
APC Don’t Honour Promises, Tinubu Forcing Opposition To Join – Oyinlola
ORMER Gover-
Fnor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, has described the All Progressives Congress as a party that does not honour promises.
The former governor equally said Nigeria under President Bola Tinubu has gone backwards with the economy, no ng that the recent kidnapping incidents showed the state of the country under the present administra on.
Oyinlola stated this during a private radio programme in Osogbo, Osun State capital on Monday.
He noted that he told Governor Ademola Adeleke that he would not be moving with him to the APC when the governor was planning to decamp before his move was thwarted by members of the party in Osun.
He said, “APC is a party that does not honour promises. I was the secretary of the New PDP when we formed
the APC but what did I get in return despite my efforts?
“There was a me we met to deliberate if we would be moving to the All Progressives Congress, but I told them that I’ve been in that party before and I knew them very well and that I would not be following them to the APC if that was the op on available. And my decision has not changed about that.
“Looking at the Federal Government, has the economy improved or is the food now sufficient for the masses? Are we to talk about the insecurity in the country?
If we have done well, what will make Donald Trump say America will invade Nigeria?
“What happened in Nigeria in the past week is worth resigning from office for. In another country, the president will resign.”
Oyinlola added that those joining the APC were not doing so willingly but due to pressure from the ruling party.
“What President Bola
Tinubu is doing now is that any opposi on that does not agree to move to the APC voluntarily
will have an issue.
“When you see a former Vice Presiden al candidate under the PDP
ry arms.
joining the APC, you will know that he has been caught. And don’t forget that the former APC
chairman has said that once you join the APC, your sins are forgiven,” he stated.
Insecurity: Nigeria At War, We Should Be Allowed To Carry Guns - Fadahunsi
THE lawmaker represen ng Osun East, Senator Francis Fadahunsi, has called for the enactment of a law which will allow Nigerians to car-
The lawmaker equally urged President Bola Tinubu to review the military architecture around him, no ng that both the Minister of Defence and Minister of State for Defence are businessmen and not soldiers.
The Words That Built A Village: Proverbs Our Leaders Forgot Art/Culture
IN the days when life moved to the rhythm of the talking drum, words were not just spoken — they were lived. In villages tucked between the dense forests of Ijesa, the rolling hills of Ife, and the quiet farmlands of Ila, proverbs were the compass of our communi es. Elders sat beneath the mango tree, children at their feet, and with a single line — “Bi a bá pé lóró, à ń pé ní òwe…” — a world of wisdom unfolded. Back then, to lead meant to listen. And to listen meant to understand the pulse of the people through the lens of proverbs passed down from ancestor to ancestor. But somewhere along the dusty road of poli cs and mod-
ern governance, those words began to fade. And so did the soul of leadership.
We once heard: “Agbajo ọwọ la fi ń so’ya” — “It is with collec ve hands that we li the mortar.” This was a call to unity, a reminder that no leader is greater than the people they serve. Yet today, power is hoarded, not shared. Collaboraon is viewed as weakness. Decisions are made behind locked doors, far from the voices in the marketplace.
We were also told: “A kì í fi èyìn ṣ’òrùn” — “One does not scratch the back of the neck by going behind it.” Meaning: do not go about ma ers in crooked ways. This proverb once guided kings, chiefs, and council elders in the art of jus ce. But
in this new era of budget-padding and backdoor deals, the wisdom has gone silent.
Our forebears understood that “Ojú l’ọrun, kì í s’èrè” — “The sky has eyes; nothing is hidden beneath it.” Transparency wasn’t a buzzword; it was expected. Leaders were held accountable not by paper reports but by the conscience of the village. The people watched, and so did the gods. In the absence of these ancestral truths, something fragile has cracked in our communi es. From the broken promises of local
governments to the crumbling of communal trust, we feel the absence of old wisdom. Even tradional rulers — once the custodians of both land and language — now speak more of contracts than character. And yet, all is not lost.
In some corners of Osun, in churches, mosques, and s ll in evening gatherings under pawpaw trees, the old sayings are whispered. A market woman reminds her apprence that “Ìjìyà kì í ṣe t’ọmọ ènìyàn ayé nikan” — “Suffering is not reserved only for the children of ordinary people.” A
Fadahunsi stated this on Wednesday during a debate on the insecurity ravaging the country.
The lawmakers said the military officers only take orders from their superiors, warning that Nigeria would con nue to waste money on figh ng
farmer tells his son, “Tí kò bá sí àìlera, a kì í mọ agbára ènìyàn” — “Without hardship, one cannot measure a person’s strength.”
These phrases are seeds. And they are s ll fer le.
Perhaps what we need today is not just policy reform or more infrastructure. We need a return to value. To a kind of leadership rooted not in foreign manifestos, but in the tested sayings of our ancestors.
Imagine if our commissioners, governors, lawmakers — even chairmen of motor parks — began their mee ngs with one proverb, and truly let it shape their decisions. What if the oath of office included the wisdom of those who built palaces before us with nothing but words, faith, and clay? We are not short of knowledge. We are short of remembrance.
insecurity if things do not change.
He said, “Military architecture around Mr President is what is affecting the command structure and what is happening today. The Minister of Defence is not a soldier or a re red general. The Minister of State, all of them are businessmen. The NSA is a re red policeman.
“Do you know that these soldiers called us, even those carrying superior guns than theirs ‘’bloody civilians’ and that is what is affec ng us.
“The Commander in Chief needs to look at the military architecture around him and do the needful. If not, we will con nue to waste money because they will not take orders from any other person other than their own general.
“We are almost at the military rule and we are at war. He is the Commander in Chief because they listen to him and he is spending on them. That is what can solve the problem.
“Today, about 120 countries have legalised carrying arms. I think it is me for Nigeria to allow us to carry arms.
“If the elite and a few of us who are okay are carrying guns, it will be war against these criminals and they will run away because they are not many.”
Fadahunsi added that kidnappers and those who nego ate on behalf of bandits are criminals and should face the death penalty.
“It is me for us to make a law that the Kidnappers, including the nego ators, are criminals and should face the death penalty,” the lawmaker stated.
•Nature can’t be cheated! Caught in the act: A Hausa man takes an unexpected nap during business hours, snapped by our photojournalist, Shola Aderinto, near Aregbesola Bus Stop yesterday
Kazeem Badmus
Kazeem Badmus
How Absence Of Social Investment Programmes Worsened Child Education In Osun — Investigation
Yusuf Oketola
THE current economic hardship in Nigeria is having excrucia ng effects on school children in Osun State, while the absence of social investment programmes has further worsened their condi on.
Findings by OSUN DEFENDER revealed that the economic downturn is affecting the daily lives of school children, as many parents can no longer afford school uniforms, shoes, bags and basic writing materials.
The situa on has also increased street begging among children, thereby contribu ng significantly to the growing number of outof-school children in the state.
In some parts of the state visited by this medium — including Osogbo, IleIfe, Ilesa, Ede, Iwo and other major towns — pupils and students were seen in ta ered uniforms and worn-out school bags. Many others were found without uniforms or wri ng materials while on their way to school.
OSUN DEFENDER also discovered that some children now engage in picking plas c bo les as a means of survival to support their families.
One of the children, a pupil at a public primary school in Osogbo, who spoke with our correspondent while searching for empty bo les at Old Garage area of the state capital, said a kilogram of plas c bo les is sold for ₦200. According to her, she searches for bo les daily a er school to support her parents.
“This is what I do every me I close from school. I pick bo les around the streets of Osogbo. We sell one kilogram
•As Pupils Resort To Street Begging, Picking Plastic Bottles To Survive
for ₦200. Somemes I make about ₦600 and give it to my mummy. With that, I can go to school with food,” she said.
Similarly, another male child sighted at the Olaiya area of Osogbo during school hours on Wednesday said he could not a end school due to unpaid fees.
“I couldn’t go to school because I haven’t paid my school fees. I live with my grandmother. She is old and struggles to take care of me and my siblings. I come out every day to pick bo les to sell,” he said.
Educa onal stakeholders in the state have a ributed the situa on to the absence of people-oriented policies and social interven on programmes previously implemented under the Rauf Aregbesola administra on.
One of the notable programmes of the Aregbesola era was the re-introducon of Calisthenics, alongside the distribu on of free school uniforms.
During school anniversaries, interhouse sports and official government visits, pupils were o en mobilised to entertain guests
through Calisthenics displays.
At major na onal and state celebraons such as Independence Day, State Crea on Anniversary and Children’s Day, Calisthenics displays remained one of the major attrac ons at the state stadium.
Whenever the government organised Calisthenics for major events, about 5,000 students were selected as a “state team” from several schools in Osogbo and Olorunda Local Government Areas. Government catered for their training, costumes and welfare. Each par cipant was paid ₦300 daily for over 90 days of training to
ease transporta on and feeding burdens from their parents. Though costly, the programme was seen as a direct investment in over 5,000 families, aside from its cultural and aesthe c benefits.
Many beneficiaries of the ini a ve have con nued to call on the government to reinstate the programme.
These and other social interven on programmes were considered instrumental in reducing poverty and crime in Osun State, ranking it among states with some of the lowest crime and poverty rates in the country at the me.
The Calisthenics programme was ex-
pected to con nue when Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola succeeded Aregbesola on November 27, 2018, but it was later discon nued alongside several other social programmes. In 2012, no fewer than 750,000 pupils of public primary and secondary schools benefi ed from the state’s unified school uniform ini a ve. Each student in elementary, middle and high schools was given two pairs of uniforms free of charge in the first phase, while subsequent replacements were sold at highly subsidised rates.
Many parents also benefited from the Osun Youth
Empowerment Scheme (O’YES), which was aimed at reducing youth unemployment.
In an interview in August 2018, the then O’YES Commandant, Colonel Enibukun Oyewole (rtd.), stated that the scheme had transformed the lives of thousands of youths. He noted that Osun State had one of the lowest unemployment rates in Nigeria, according to Na onal Bureau of Sta s cs data at the me.
Oyewole disclosed that over ₦3.6 billion was expended annually on the programme, while more than 42,000 youths benefi ed from it across all zones of the state.
“Some of my cadets are now landlords. They built their houses through what they earned from this scheme, and over 22,000 are currently serving as O’YES cadets,” he said.
He added that the scheme empowered youths with prac cal skills, reduced res veness and helped many establish small and medium-scale businesses.
Meanwhile, under the current administra on of Governor Ademola Adeleke, the ‘Imole Youth Corps’ was introduced but has been cri cised by some stakeholders, who allege that the selec on process lacked transparency and was dominated by poli cal loyalists of the ruling Peoples Democra c Party (PDP).
OSUN DEFENDER however gathered that many of the corps members posted to schools across the state have reportedly abandoned their duty posts due to poor remuneraon.
NOVEMBER 28, 2025
Osun Govt Rallies 35 States To Adopt FG’s Climate Policy
Kazeem Badmus
THE Osun state government has urged the 35 states of the federa on to urgently adopt and domes cate the federal government’s newly approved Na onal Carbon Market and Carbon Investment Framework.
The Osun government warned that states that fail to align their policies with the na onal climate agenda risk losing billions of naira in poten al carbon revenue and missing out on investments that could accelerate clean energy development, climate adapta on, and economic growth.
The government, through its DirectorGeneral and Special Envoy of the Governor of Osun State on Climate Change and Renewable Energy, Professor Chinwe Obuaku-Igwe, in a statement on Wednesday, recommended that states must pass a State Climate Policy and do-
mes cate the Climate Change Act (2021).
She noted that the approval signalled federal government readiness to unlock carbon finance as a legi mate engine for growth, resilience, and sustainability.
“This new carbon investment framework will remain an elegant federal document unless subna onal governments seize the moment and create the policies, ins -
tu ons, and safeguards required to translate naonal ambi on into local impact.
“We (states) celebrate federal approval, but fail to build the state-level systems that make implementa on possible. The climate crisis and the opportunity of carbon finance demand that we change this pa ern.
“The approval of a na onal carbon framework opens the door to
•As Adeleke Warns Against Rising Political Violence In Ijeshaland
billions of dollars in poten al carbon revenue. Properly managed, it could finance adapta on projects, restore degraded ecosystems, electrify transport, modernize agriculture, and support clean energy expansion across the country.
Prof Obuaku-Igwe held that, “States that act now will win; states that hesitate will watch opportuni es move elsewhere. States con-
trol the very sectors that define our carbon footprint and resilience capacity, including landuse and forestry; Agriculture and food systems; urban planning and building codes; Waste management; Transport systems; Local energy access and Community development.”
She added, “Sub-naonal governments must avoid the tempta on to treat carbon revenue as
windfall income. Carbon markets punish shortcuts: poor baselines, weak social safeguards, coerced community consent, and opaque revenue use can all result in project reversal, market rejec on, or even blacklis ng.
“States must design robust governance systems now, not as an a erthought, to avoid repea ng the mistakes seen in other developing countries where poorly managed carbon projects collapsed amid scandal.
“The approval of the carbon investment framework is historic, but history will judge us on whether Nigeria can turn policy into prac ce. If states rise to the moment with seriousness, transparency, and innova on, we could witness one of the largest climate-driven development transforma ons in Africa. The me for decisive sub-na onal ac on is now.”
NURTW Chairman Murdered In Ilesa Osun LG Crisis: CSO Urges Supreme Court To Expedite Action On Judgment
Yusuf Oketola
THE Chairman of Na onal Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Unit 4, Ilesa, Adeboye Ademoro popularly known as Germani, has been gruesomely Murdered by some unknown gunmen in Ilesa. According to sourc-
es in Ilesa, Ademoro was a acked in his residence late Tuesday’s night.
The incident, has however thrown the community into panic as members of the union trooped out on Wednesday morning to protest the death of Germani.
Residents of the state have however related the incident to the poli cal violence in Ijeshaland as
the deceased is said to be a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Confirming the incident, the Spokesperson for Osun State Police Command, CSP Abiodun Ojelabi told OSUN DEFENDER that the union leader was pronounced death upon arrival at the hospital in the town.
Contratry to reports on social media that three persons was killed during the a ack, Ojelabi maintained that only one person was killed and one currently receiving treatment at the hospital.
He said: “At our own end, it was one person that was killed. Two persons were rushed to the hospital around 12am on Tuesday and when the doctor found out that it was a case of gunshot, he quickly alerted the police. Meanwhile, one of the vic ms was pronounced dead before arriving hospital.
“The person killed is iden fied as Germani, a member of Naonal Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) at Ilesa. We recovered some cartridges to ascertain
that it was a case of gunshots.
“One of the vic ms is currently receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital in Ilesa and the matter is being handle by the state CID. Invesga on is ongoing to arrest the perpetrators.”
Meanwhile, Governor Ademola Adeleke has warned against rising poli cal violence in some parts of the state, direc ng the Commissioner of Police to clamp down on poli cal killings across Ijeshaland.
Pleading with the poli cal class to submit to people’s will and avoid violence, the governor decried recent killings at Ilesa, urging poli cians to eschew thuggery and bloodle ng.
This was contained in a statement by the Spokesperson to the Governor, Mallam Olawale Rasheed on Wednesday.
“If truly our goal is to serve the people, we must focus on the ballot and free exercise of electoral choices by our people. I urge the Commissioner of Police to secure the affected areas and stop further killings”, the governor was quoted as saying.
Anonpartisan, youth-led civil society organisa on, Insight Ini a ve for Community and Social Development (IICSD), has appealed to the Supreme Court to expedite judgement on the prolonged Osun Local Government suit between the Attorney General of Osun State and the A orney General of the Federaon. The suit, marked SC/ CV/773/2025, was heard on October 7, 2025, with judgment reserved, but remains undecided ll date.
In a le er addressed to the Chief Jus ce of Nigeria and signed by its Execu ve Director, ‘Jare Tiamiyu, the group said the delay had con nued to cripple grassroots governance in Osun, as two rival camps s ll lay claim to local council leadership across the state.
IICSD noted that alloca ons running into over ₦100 billion, released to Osun local governments since March 2025, have been largely inac ve due to the leadership crisis, thereby affec ng healthcare delivery, basic educa on, infrastructure development and other
grassroots services.
The organisa on, which is the brain behind the Osun Open Local Government Project (OsunOpenLG), said the legal uncertainty has stalled community-level development and weakened public trust in local governance.
OsunOpenLG, a civic transparency ini a ve, has over the years deployed community advocates across council areas to monitor local government performance, raise awareness on council finances, and promote cizen par cipa on through town hall engagements, radio programmes and grassroots advocacy.
More recently, the project introduced a digital governance tool - Amoye, to enable residents access verified informa on about local government responsibili es, alloca ons and service delivery, in a bid to deepen transparency and accountability at the grassroots.
The organisa on expressed confidence that a mely judgment by the apex court would restore stability to the council system and reposi on local governments for effec ve service delivery.
Yusuf Oketola
•The deceased
•The Director, NYSC South West Area Office I, Mrs Olubukola Abiodun, during a courtesy visit to the office of the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of INEC in Osun State, Dr Mutiu Agboke, on Wednesday
UCL: Enzo Fernandez Pinpoints Mistake Made By Barça In 3-0 Defeat To Chelsea
Jamiu Akintoye
CHELSEA midfielder, Enzo Fernandez, has explained why the Blues thrashed LaLiga champions, Barcelona 3-0 in the Champions League on Tuesday night.
The Argen ne ques oned Barça boss, Hansi Flick’s
tac cal approach to the game at Stamford Bridge, claiming the visitors’ decision to keep an ultra-high defensive line was a mistake.
Jules Kounde’s own goal, Willian Estevao and Liam Delap strikes ensured the Blues kept all three points at Stamford Bridge and moved to fi h place in the table.
Andrey Santos and Fernandez had their three goals disallowed by the video assistant referee. Fernandez maintained that the Blues deserved to win the game, but felt the
Catalans made it very easy for them.
“Their defensive line was too high for my liking,” the Chelsea midfielder told Movistar Plus+.
“We knew the spaces were there behind them and we were able to find our striker in space many mes.
“And that was also the plan we had prepared with Maresca.”
The victory moved Enzo Maresca’s side fi h in the Champions League table and brightened the hope of automa c qualifica on for the west London side.
Format For FIFA World Cup 2026 Draw Confirmed
Oluwadarasimi Jesukolade
WITH fewer than 200 days remaining unl the kick-off of the expanded 48-team FIFA World Cup 2026™, the procedures for the highly an cipated Final Draw have been confirmed.
On Friday, 5th December, coaches and officials from qualified na ons, and those s ll vying for a spot, will gather at the pres gious John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington D.C. to discover their group stage opponents.
The draw will determine the pathways for the 12 unprecedented groups of four teams, with the ul mate goal of li ing the trophy in New York New Jersey on Sunday, 19th July 2026.
As hosts, Canada, Mexico, and the USA will automa cally be allocated to Pot 1. Mexico will be assigned to posi on A1, Canada to B1, and the USA to D1, as per the match schedule released earlier this year. The remaining 39 qualified teams
will be distributed across four pots of 12, based on the FIFA/ Coca-Cola Men’s World Ranking issued on 19th November 2025, according to a statement posted on FIFA website on Tuesday. Pot 4 will also include placeholders for the two FIFA World Cup 2026 Play-Off Tournaments and the four European play-off winners.
Key Pot Alloca ons Revealed:
Pot 1: Canada, Mexico, USA, Spain, Argen na, France, England, Brazil, Portugal, Netherlands, Belgium, Germany
Pot 2: Croa a, Morocco, Colombia, Uruguay, Switzerland, Japan, Senegal, IR Iran, Korea Republic, Ecuador, Austria, Australia
Pot 3: Norway, Panama, Egypt, Algeria, Scotland, Paraguay, Tunisia, Côte d’Ivoire, Uzbekistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Africa
Pot 4: Jordan, Cabo Verde, Ghana, Curaçao, Hai , New Zealand, European Play-Off A,
B, C and D, FIFA Play-Off Tournament 1 and 2
To ensure compe ve balance, the four highest-ranked teams in Pot 1 (Spain, Argenna, France, and England) will be drawn into opposite pathways, preven ng them from mee ng before the final, should they win their respec ve groups.
A crucial draw constraint s pulates that, in principle, no group will feature more than one team from the same confedera on, with the excep on of UEFA, which will have 16 representa ves. Each group must contain at least one, but no more than two, UEFA teams.
Following the draw, an updated match schedule, detailing stadium alloca ons and kick-off mes for each fixture, will be released on Saturday, 6th December. This me culous allocaon process aims to op mise condi ons for all par cipa ng teams and enhance the viewing experience for fans across different me zones worldwide.
Osun First Lady Seeks Collaboration To End Gender Violence Sport
Kazeem Badmus
OSUN State first
lady, Mrs Tilola Adeleke, has urged all stakeholders to work together to fight Gender Based Violence and other violent acts targeted at women and girl-children in the state.
Mrs Adeleke equally said her husband’s administra on was commi ed to ending violence against women and girls across the state.
She stated this in a statement on her Facebook page in commemora on of the global 16 Days of Ac vism against Gender-Based Violence.
Mrs Adeleke noted that this year’s celebraon theme: “End Digital Violence Against All Women and Girls,” underscores the urgent need to protect women and girls across our communi es and society at large.
According to her, “It is impera ve and compelling on us as a ma er of importance and for the adverse effect of GBV on our society to intensify awareness, promote jus ce, and strengthen our collec ve resolve to end all forms of violence against women and girls.
“This is a renewed call for each of us to speak out, stand strong, and take ac on for a just and safer society where the lives of every young girl ma er and their dignity is treasured jealously with maximum protec on.
“We must all con nue to create safe spaces, empower survivors and
uphold systems that ensure jus ce is served. Let us priori se promot-
ing safe and respectful online engagement, strengthening digital lit-
eracy, repor ng mechanisms and ensuring that technology becomes a tool for empowerment, not harm.”
state, organised by the state Ministry of Information and Public Enlightenment in Conjunction with UNICEF Lagos Field Office, held at the government Secretariat, Abere recently
“I urge parents, community leaders, religious ins tu ons, educators, civil society groups and every ci zen of Osun to take part ac vely in this 16-day ac vism against GBV. Let us unite our voices and efforts to build communi es where women and girls can live without fear, grow in confidence, and realise their full potenal.”
“Let us all have a Capital NO to digital violence, including cyberstalking, online harassment, misinforma on, image abuse, and technology-facilitated coercion, which threatens safety, confidence, and par cipa on in the digital world,” she added.
Police Urged To Reopen Osun Amotekun Office
Oluwadarasimi Jesukolade
AMIDST the tension and chaos raging the na on’s security system, the Osun State Commissioner of Police, Mr Ibrahim Gotan has been urged to reconsider the reopening the office of Amotekun Corps Headquarters in the state.
The Amotekun Headquarters was sealed by opera ves of the Intelligence of the Nigerian Police in October following a pe on against the Amotekun Corps alleging extra-judicial killings at Akinlalu town, in IfeNorth Local Government Area of the state.
It will be recall that Amotekun opera ves killed four persons and wounded eight others a er storming Akinlalu town allegedly to recover locally-fabricated weapons collected by a suspect which a racted public outcry in the state.
In a le er dated November 20, 2025, The speaker, Youth Assembly of Nigeria (YAN), Osun Chapter, Hammed Fatomi, he said the reopening of the office will enforce security consciousness and strengthen community protecon across the state
“As a youth leader in
Osun State, I wish to respec ully bring to your a en on that, considering the current security challenges in the country, the reopening of the Amotekun office would greatly enhance security consciousness and strengthen community protec on across the State.
“While it is important that any offenders within the corps face the full weight of the law, it is equally important that the opera ons of Amotekun con nue. Proper sensi za on and retraining should be provided to ensure that officers operate within
the confines of the law, even when provoked or tempted by unruly individuals.
“We should not bring down an en re structure simply because a part of its roof is leaking; instead, we should repair the affected areas and reinforce the whole.
“To set the record straight, not all their opera ons were nega ve. We must also acknowledge and appreciate the numerous security threats they have prevented and the posi ve roles they have played in safeguarding our communi es.
“I trust that your of-
fice will consider this appeal in the overall interest of peace, safety, and community development in Osun State.”
Responding to enquiry made by OSUN DEFENDER, Spokesperson for the Osun Police Command, CSP Abiodun Ojelabi said inves ga on is s ll ongoing on the circumstances surrounding the closure of the office.
“Inves ga on is s ll ongoing and the commissioner of police will be having a mee ng with the Inspector General of Police soon. I believe this will be part of things to be discussed at the meeting,” Ojelabi stated.
•Stakeholders at the 2-days Capacity Building meeting on Cross Sectoral Interventions for Child survival and development in Osun
Photo Shola Aderinto
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2025 VOL. 20 NO 65 www.osundefender.com, email: osundefenderbank@gmail.com
AS the 2026 elec on cycle draws closer, poli cal par es across Nigeria are dus ng off their machinery, searching for candidates who can electrify rallies, command social media, and look good on campaign posters. But if the African Democra c Congress (ADC) wants to stand any real chance in Osun and beyond, the party must resist the old tempta on of choosing charisma over competence. Nigeria has paid heavily for this habit. Osun has paid for it too.
The next genera on of voters is watching, and the ADC has an opportunity to show it has learned the lesson many par es s ll ignore: performance ma ers more than personality.
The ADC has long posi oned itself as a party of ideas, a home for technocrats, reformists, and younger Nigerians who want an alterna ve to the tradional poli cal giants. But the truth is simple—ideas alone won’t cut it. The party’s strength will depend on whether it can field a candidate who not only speaks well but can also solve problems.
A candidate who understands Osun’s economic struggles, the frustra ons of workers, the decline of local industries, the state’s infrastructure gaps, and the rising cost of living that hits ordinary families harder each day.
For years, Nigerian poli cs has been dominated by individuals who win with charisma but govern with confusion. We have seen leaders whose campaign speeches were more impressive than their policies. We have watched par es choose flag-bearers based on “packaging,” not performance. It is a cycle that has le many ci zens hopeless, and it is me for one party to break that pa ern. The ADC has a chance to be that party— if it chooses wisely.
Osun’s poli cal landscape is unique. The electorate here is loud, intelligent, and not easily deceived. People remember who built schools, who paid salaries on me, who protected the vulnerable, and who simply posed for pictures. Osun voters are not as swayed by empty slogans as outsiders think. That is why the ADC must present a candidate whose track record can stand on its own—someone who has managed people, solved real problems, and delivered measurable results.
The 2026 candidate should be a person who can ar culate a clear economic vision for Osun State. Not a textbook vision, but a prac cal one that speaks to market traders, farmers, teachers, arsans, tech-minded youths, even civil servants who feel forgo en.
Osun’s economy needs bold ideas— reviving local agriculture, encouraging agro-processing hubs, opening the doors for small manufacturing, and
“One
of the biggest tests before the ADC is internal discipline. Party members must rise above personal loyalty and emotional attachment when selecting their candidate”
By MATT OLU
OLOWOKERE
Performance Over Personality: Why ADC’s 2026 Candidate Must Deliver On Substance
suppor ng new digital start-ups. None of that requires a loud personality. It requires competence, planning, and leadership rooted in reality.
The ADC must also look for a bridgebuilder. Osun is poli cally diverse, and no single bloc can win the state alone. A strong candidate will be someone who can a ract young people red of recycled poli cs, elders who want stability, professionals who want accountability, and rural communi es who simply want government presence in their daily lives.
STRIKER
These are cons tuencies that respond to performance, not theatrics.
One of the biggest tests before the ADC is internal discipline. Party members must rise above personal loyalty and emo onal a achment when selecting their candidate. The ques on should not be, “Who speaks the loudest?” but “Who carries the most substance?” Not, “Who can draw the biggest celebratory crowd?” but “Who can deliver the biggest developmental results?”
The party cannot afford to nominate
a candidate who shines during primaries but struggles to lead during governance. Osun voters have seen that movie before.
If the ADC picks a competent candidate—someone with humility, vision, and proven experience—the party will surprise people in 2026. Nigerians, especially in the Southwest, are increasingly evalua ng leaders based on delivery, not drama. The EndSARS genera on, the TikTok genera on, the urban professionals, and the rural voters share one quiet expecta on: they want leaders who can make life be er, not poli cians who charm them for a season.
This is the moment for the ADC to redefine itself. If the party chooses substance over showmanship, it can shi the narra ve and inspire confidence in places where people have grown red of tradi onal poli cs. A serious party cannot gamble its future on charisma. Competence, credibility, and consistency—those are the quali es that can carry the ADC from the margins into the mainstream.
As 2026 approaches, the party’s member base must insist on a candidate who can not only win votes, but also win trust. Osun deserves leadership built on performance, not personality. If the ADC gets this right, it will not just contest the elec on—it will reshape the conversa on.
Striker is not the opinion of the Columnist featured above
Between A Rock And A Hard Place
IT is widely acknowledged that there are three key ins tu ons that are solidly built and jealously guarded against vicissitudes by all na ons desirous of stability and prosperity: the educa on, research and development establishments; the civil service; and the jus ce and policing system. Whatever may go wrong with society in any other sector, once these ins tu ons remain steadfast on their mandates, that society must always recover its balance and surge forward to its historic des ny.
Corrupted beyond recogni on over the course of 60 years, these ins tu ons in Nigeria are today all but gone with the winds. In any society where that happens, the people are at the mercy of divine providence–bedevilled with poli cians, poli cs, economy and governance of such nega ve quality difficult to find adjec ves for in the dic onary. However, if the society has not en rely gone to blazes, redemp on is always possible through a combined effort of progressive patriots amongst the elites (few as they may be), and the civil society and popular organisaons (atomised, disempowered and disoriented as they may be). Nigeria is today at that historic junc on.
They say “Rome was not built in a day.” As the destruc on of those ins tu ons did not happen in a day, so will their rebuilding to noble and efficient heights. Without those instu ons func oning at their op mal and dedicated best, there can only be a republic, federa on and democ-
racy as a lie generally agreed to, free press as a lie generally believed, and trials and tribula ons for the majority as a way of life. Between that staon and the Promised Land, what is to be done?
One sure thing that is inescapable and urgent for Nigeria today is poli cal concilia on on all ma ers arising! It is a sort of ceasefire to clear roadblocks to further movement, and possible disintegra on. Poli cal se lements are usually a generally accepted tool in order to give room to further mo on towards sanity and progress. Between now and the 2027 general elec ons, reinven ng and restructuring Nigeria to a genuine federa on is simply not feasible; even a cons tu onal amendment for more inclusiveness and devolu on of power is fast becoming impossible me-wise. However, courage must be mustered firstly by the ruling government (propelled or compelled by the ruling party), to engage the main opposi on party and other par es, all “enemies of the state,” and wellmeaning organisa ons and leading statesmen and women, to arrive at and agree on posi ons and policies that give a sense of accommodaon to all, genuinely. Well-organised and managed consulta ons can lead to its a ainment, and in good me. Without it, proceeding with the elecons is a dangerous gambit at best or a journey into oblivion, at worst!
Once sooner achieved, three steps must speedily follow in order to guarantee a smooth transi on of power, avoid an inconclusive elec-
toral process, a cons tu onal crisis and poten al disaster: one, passing the electoral bills amendment; two, securing a universal “gentleman” agreement among poli cians and poli cal par es to play by the rule – intra party and inter party; three and lastly, mustering poli cal will to deal decisively and ruthlessly with any state or non-state actor seeking to derailthe obtained “ceasefire”, security-wise or otherwise, whosever they may be, without fear or favour!
There are no extraordinary sugges ons in all steps itemised above as no one loses, whereas everyone gains. By poli cally se ling accounts and obtaining a truce with Na onality agita ons groups and their leaders, with so-called bandits and their leaders and mentors, with state governors, trades unions, et al, the social, economic and poli cal atmosphere conducive for the elec on is achieved, once the security organisa ons and INEC are ready to imparally do their bit.
Since the much that needed to be done were not done for so long, while busy doing things that shouldn’t be done, the na on and its people have found self between a rock and a hard place; escaping to safety is now a singular and compelling priority. Only a er that can we be alive to rethink and reflect on where we were coming from, how we got to the nasty place we are and re-envision where we want to go collec vely, and then commence the journey methodically. All hands must be on deck for that goal, with prayers and pressure on the men oned chief stakeholders not to abandon their du es to the na on and the people.
OSUN DEFENDER is published by Moremi Publishing House Limited, Behind Oranmiyan Building, Gbodofon, Off Gbongan Road, Osogbo, Osun State. All correspondence to the Asst. News Editor, YUSUF OKETOLA, Telephone: 0809-301-9152. ISSN: 0794-8050. Website: www.osundefender.com Email: osundefenderbank@gmail.com, osundefenderhq@gmail.com